Tempo at Beef Expo lifted with fresh pair of eyes for National Spring Spectacular judging.

Hotly contested competitive cattle classes will once again be an important part of the National Beef Association’s Beef Expo 2012, held this year at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, on May 23rd and 24th.

With Lloyds TSB Agriculture as major sponsors, Beef Expo 2012 will be the essential technical event for UK producers, says Neil Lloyd, chairman of the event’s National Spring Spectacular livestock showcase.

“The combination of farm tours, UK Genetics Showcase and Beef Industry Dinner on May 23rd, which precede competitive cattle classes and technical advice within the show arenas and seminars on May 24th, make it a must-see event,” he says.

“Visitors can once again expect to see strong competitive cattle classes within the event’s National Spring Spectacular Show. This encompasses classes for continental and native breeds, baby beef and both junior and senior stockmanship. Entries are now invited ahead of the closing date of April 20th for paper-based applications.”

Presiding over the cattle competitions, Beef Expo 2012 is delighted to welcome Pearse McNamee of Donegal, a reputed showman and breeder from the Republic of Ireland, to judge this year’s event.

Mr McNamee has recently won the All Ireland Championship beef competition at Tullamore, Republic of Ireland, and has mainland UK show ring champions including KilKenny Classy Lassy. But his says his relative anonymity on UK shores will ensure ‘fresh eyes’ are brought to the show ring.

He says: “I judge without fear of favour and look for style and correctness. UK beef cattle have more style than I normally see here in the South, as finishers are producing to the market, clean and lean.”

National Spring Spectacular judging will commence on the evening of May 23rd, continuing on the 24th and culminating that afternoon. Combined with a wide range of other attractions, Beef Expo is designed for all aspects of the beef sector, be it pedigrees, commercial sucklers, dairy-bred beef or dedicated finishing units.

Tickets bought in advance of the event are £8 for NBA members and £12 for non-members. Full details, plus information on the farm tours, are online at www.beefexpo.co.uk. Other enquiries – including sponsorship and trade stand space – can be directed to Event Organiser Euan Emslie on 01430 441870, 07718 908523 or [email protected].